Lawmaker makes pitch for creation of special ecozone in West Aklan

By Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz @joveemarie

AHOUSE Committee on Economic Affairs vice chairper - son has filed the proposed West Aklan Special Economic Zone Act (WASEZA) to bring in more investment and employment opportunities in the region and contribute to the nation’s economic recovery and development.

In order for the economy to recover from inflation and the pandemic, Aklan 2nd District Rep. Teodorico Haresco Jr. said the government must explore new special economic zones and empower regional economies to provide more jobs, and entice foreign investment.

H aresco has filed House Bill 7032 to establish the WASEZA to promote countryside development through the spread and diversification of economic investments currently centered and contained on a number of economic hotspots towards the less-developed yet potentiallycapable areas of West Aklan.

T he bill is pending before the House Committee on Economic Affairs.

T he legislator said establishing a special ecozone in a premier and strategic location like West Aklan shall complement further and generate more dollar/export earnings for the country.

T he World Bank defines Special Economic Zones as “geographically limited areas, usually physically secured (fenced-in); single management or administration; eligibility for benefits based upon physical location within the zone; separate customs area (duty-free benefits) and streamlined procedures.”

S EZs or Ecozones in the Philippines are generally enabled by the Special Economic Zones Act of 1995 (Republic Act 7916) which provides the legal framework and mechanisms for the integration, coordination, planning and monitoring of special economic zones, industrial estates/parks, export processing zones and other economic zones.

N otable Ecozones in the coun - try include: Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport; Freeport Area of Bataan; Clark Freeport Zone and Clark Special Economic Zone; Cagayan Special Economic Zone and Freeport; Cavite Economic Zone; Subic Bay Freeport Zone; and Zamboanga City Special Economic Zone.

“ We hope to have WASEZA bring better opportunities and more competitive wages to Akeanons and their families, similar to how other ecozones in the country have boosted regional economies. The economic incentives we provide to businesses and local government units will definitely uphold the welfare of our people and improve the quality of life in Aklan,” the veteran legislator said.

Moreover, due to the presence of two international airports in the province, particularly in Kalibo and Caticlan, the Philippine Ports Authority has identified the Municipality of Nabas as a premier international cruise ship terminal, targeting 4-5 international cruise ships weekly.

By Lorenz S. Marasigan @lorenzmarasigan

EXPRESSWAY operator Nlex

Corp. said on Sunday it is spending P282.5 million to improve its electronic toll collection and traffic management systems, as it seeks to “transform customer experience” along its thoroughfares.

Luigi L. Bautista, the company’s president and general manager, said the initiatives include the upgrading of various servers and the installation of new radio frequency identification (RFID) antennas and speed cameras.

T he goal, he said, is to “enhance the processing of toll plaza transactions and implementation of traffic regulations.”

“ These enhancements are part of the company’s thrust in providing safer and more convenient journeys along with the drive for continuous innovation and customer service excellence,” he said.

Bautista said around 80 toll lanes at the North Luzon Expressway (Nlex) will be equipped with new antennas, which will help facilitate more efficient RFID transactions, while four speed cameras will be installed in both Tarlac and Subic-bound portions of the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (Sctex) to further track speeding vehicles.

Trucks and buses have a speed limit of 80 kilometers per hour (kph) when using the expressway, while cars are allowed up to 100 kph. Traffic officers use real-time data from the cameras to flag down those going beyond the maximum speed limit. Various servers at Nlex-Sctex will also be upgraded for improved performance and reliability, Bautista added.